CVE-2021-1207 in Small Business
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W Routers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause an affected device to restart unexpectedly. The vulnerabilities are due to improper validation of user-supplied input in the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending crafted HTTP requests to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code as the root user on the underlying operating system or cause the device to reload, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker would need to have valid administrator credentials on the affected device. Cisco has not released software updates that address these vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-1207 affects Cisco Small Business routers including RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W models, representing a critical security flaw in their web-based management interfaces. These devices operate as network gateways and security appliances in small business environments, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking persistent access to corporate networks. The vulnerabilities stem from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate device operations through carefully crafted HTTP requests. This class of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to inject malicious data into applications.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2021-1207 requires an attacker to possess valid administrator credentials, establishing a baseline authentication requirement that limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk. Once authenticated, the attacker can leverage the input validation flaws to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying operating system, effectively providing complete control over the affected device. This privilege escalation capability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to modify router configurations, establish backdoors, monitor network traffic, or redirect traffic through malicious endpoints. The vulnerability also enables denial of service conditions through device reloads, which can disrupt business operations and potentially create opportunities for additional attacks during recovery periods. The exploitation techniques align with ATT&CK tactics including T1059 for command and script injection and T1499 for endpoint denial of service.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-1207 extends beyond immediate device compromise to encompass broader network security implications for small business environments. These routers typically serve as primary network gateways, and their compromise can lead to complete network infiltration, especially when the devices are deployed in environments with limited security monitoring. The lack of available software updates from Cisco creates a persistent risk for affected organizations, as they cannot remediate the vulnerability through standard patching procedures. This vulnerability represents a significant concern for organizations that rely on these devices for network security, as attackers can potentially use the compromised routers as stepping stones to access internal network resources, conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish persistent access points. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly attractive to advanced persistent threat actors who seek long-term network access and data exfiltration capabilities.
Organizations affected by CVE-2021-1207 should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices, implementing strict access controls to limit administrator credential exposure, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider disabling the web-based management interface when possible and instead utilize more secure management protocols such as SSH or HTTPS with strong authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust network security monitoring to detect and respond to exploitation attempts before they can cause significant damage. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive network audits to identify all affected devices and establish incident response procedures that account for potential compromise scenarios involving network infrastructure devices.